Apple Grows iPhone Sales in Q2 Despite Drop in China [IDC]

Apple shipped 46.4 million iPhones globally in the second quarter of 2025, securing a 15.7% market share and second place in the worldwide smartphone market, according to preliminary data from the International Data Corporation. The company saw 1.5% year-over-year growth, contributing to an overall market that edged up 1.0% to 295.2 million units.

According to IDC, Apple's growth was driven by strong double-digit increases in emerging markets, which helped to offset a 1% decline in China for the quarter—a notable improvement from the 9% decline it experienced in the first quarter. Despite the slight dip, Apple was reportedly the top brand during China's recent 618 e-commerce festival, a period when many vendors focused on clearing inventory rather than increasing shipments.

Samsung held onto the top spot, shipping 58.0 million units, an increase of 7.9% year-over-year, which IDC attributes to strong sales of its new mid-range Galaxy A36 and A56 models. Xiaomi and vivo followed Apple in third and fourth place, shipping 42.5 million and 27.1 million units, respectively.


The modest overall market growth was tempered by several factors, including ongoing economic uncertainty, which has compressed demand for lower-end Android devices. IDC also noted that China's performance was lower than expected, as government subsidies failed to significantly stimulate demand.

"In the face of ongoing political challenges, the impact of war, and the complexities posed by tariffs, the 1% growth in the smartphone market stands as a critical indicator that the market is poised to return to growth," said Anthony Scarsella, research director for Client Devices at IDC. "Q2 was packed with new models, featuring innovative designs and the powerful integration of AI, which drove the 8th consecutive quarter of growth — a feat we have not witnessed since 2013."

Please download the iClarified app or follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and RSS for more Apple updates.